The Knesset this week extended the national biometric database plan that has been running as an experimental program to date. The extension is until 28 February 2017 at which time portions will likely become permanent.

During the experimental phase of the program, anyone wishing to get a biometric ID card had to have a facial scan, fingerprinted and a digital photo taken. However, in the new permanent arrangement, as a result of an organization called the Movement for Digital Rights, if one objects, the information will still be taken and a digital ID card issued but the data would not be entered into the national database. The penalty for this is one will have to renew one’s card every five years instead of ten for those whose information is contained in the national database.

Since the voluntary experimental program went live a number of years ago, there has been argument for and against. The security establishment is pleased with it but there are many arguing it violates one’s personal rights. Others are concerned the if and when the database is hacked, then all of this information will be available and that would be catastrophic. Officials explain that the data is stored on different computers in different locations so one cannot hack the system as people believe and make off with this information.

(YWN – Israel Desk, Jerusalem)